About
The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) is responsible for the administration of the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Grant Program and distributes funds to local community-based organizations and public agencies that provide services directly to victims.
Direct assistance to crime victims includes crisis counseling, telephone and onsite information and referrals, criminal justice support and advocacy, shelter, therapy, and additional assistance. Funds may also be used to develop new programs that address emerging needs, gaps in services, and training of victim service advocates.
OVS encourages applicants to provide services that are culturally-specific, deeply embedded in their community, and/or are operated and led by and for the community or populations they serve. To help demonstrate need, OVS also encourages the use of local crime data and/or findings from other field research studies when applying.
Below are documents and additional resources related to the 2025 VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program.
Please note: After February 7, 2025, OVS can no longer answer any questions regarding this open, competitive procurement.
2025 VOCA Documents
Documents for the 2025 OVS Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Grant Program.
Bidders' Conference Webinar
On Monday, January 27, 2025, OVS hosted a VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program RFA – Bidders' Conference Webinar.
This informational webinar provides a high-level review for all prospective applicants for the 2025 VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program RFA and highlights program requirements, demonstrates how to apply, and reviews information on required documents.
The webinar was recorded and is published on the OVS YouTube Channel. Prospective applicants are encouraged to watch by clicking the link above or button below.
PowerPoint Presentation Slides from the Bidders' Conference Webinar are also available for download here:
Key Dates
| ACTION | DATE |
| RFA Release Date | Monday, January 6, 2025 |
| Optional Bidders’ Conference | Monday, January 27, 2025 |
| Deadline for Submission of Questions | Friday, February 7, 2025 |
| Response to Questions | Wednesday, February 26, 2025 |
| APPLICATION DUE DATE | Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (5:00 pm EST) |
| Anticipated Notification of Awards | Monday, June 30, 2025 |
| Contract Start Date | Wednesday, October 1, 2025 |
Additional Resources
- OVS Victim Assistance Program - Information about existing VAP services and the administration of VOCA funds in New York State.
- OVS Resource Connect - A concern-based search engine designed to help victims quickly locate services across New York State.
- SFS Handbook - Handbook provides the knowledge and skills to support grants management activities using the Statewide Financial System (SFS).
- SFS Attachment Reference Guide - Designed to assist with common questions related to working with attachments in SFS.
- SFS Troubleshooting Tips - Provides basic troubleshooting tips for SFS users.
- VOCA Final Rule - The U.S. Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) final rule guidance to implement the victim assistance formula grant program.
- VOCAPedia - An online resource that addresses allowability questions related to the VOCA funds.
- VOCA Side-by-Side - A side-by-side comparison of the VOCA Victim Assistance Guidelines and final rule.
- VOCNA Project Overview - Published results and findings from the recent New York State Victims of Crime Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis (VOCNA) Project.